A World Class Orchestra, At Your Service

“Having been a producer/engineer for over 30 years, it was my great fortune to have discovered the services of Ravel Virtual Studios. What they are offering is not only cutting edge but, as important to me, their attention to detail through the entire project... In fact, they are not satisfied until the client is completely satisfied with the results.”

Don Hunerberg
Producer & Engineer;
Chief Recording Engineer, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Spotlight - Nothing But Illusion

Flutist and band leader, Ilona KudinaIn Nothing But Illusion flutist and band leader Ilona Kudina brings together five great jazz players spanning two generations and two continents. Legendary drummer Billy Hart, Berklee College of Music faculty member Greg Hopkins on trumpet, together with two bright lights of the younger generation of jazz players, pianist Vardan Ovsepian and bassist Akili Jamal Haynes, join Ilona in playing their own tunes and arrangements in a sensual, cosmopolitan, creative hybrid of American and European jazz styles.

Nothing But Illusion can be purchased online through CD Baby!

Behind the Scenes

The Ilona Kudina Quintet recorded Nothing But Illusion at WGBH Fraser Performance Recording Studio in Boston, under the direction of recording and mixing producer Don Hunerberg. When it came time to mix the album, Don came to Ravel Virtual Studios, where he and Ilona collaborated with our Director of Music, Ron Artinian.

In addition to mixing, Don and Ilona were able to take advantage of Ravel Virtual Studios’ extensive collection of top-shelf sample libraries and virtual instruments to augment the sound of certain tracks on the album.

Ilona and Don were kind enough to sit down and talk with us about their experience working with us:

Working on Nothing But Illusion

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Nothing But Illusion excerpts

Writer Title Year
Greg Hopkins “Nine Ate” 2010
Ilona Kudina “Dangerous Liasons” 2010
Ilona Kudina “And So What?” 2010
Ilona Kudina “Zidi, Zidi, Rudzu Vorpa” 2010
Akili Jamal Haynes “There’s Only Now” 2010
Ilona Kudina “Tumsa Nakte, Zala Zale” 2010
Greg Hopkins “Bas Relief” 2010
Ilona Kudina “Nothing But Illusion” 2010
Vardan Ovsepian “Every Tomorrow” 2010

The influence of Miles Davis is clear in “And So What”: it is Kudina’s edgy side, an ugly beauty. “Dangerous Liaisons,” in Eb minor, evokes the grief of heartbreak. “Nothing But Illusion,” the title tune, is a sweet, poignant ballad of daring to love again. “Tumsha Nakte, Zala Zale” is inspired by an ancient Latvian melody. “Zidi, Zidi Rudzu Vorpa” builds upon a traditional folk song that captures the dynamic, passionate nature of the Latgalian region of Latvia.

Nothing But Illusion is dedicated to Ilona’s father, Antons Kudins, who passed away in 2006. Kudina learned music early on from her father, who was then a music teacher and later Chairman of the Music Department at Daugavpils University.


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About Ilona Kudina

Raised in Europe, Ilona Kudina is an independent artist based in the New York City–Boston area.

In addition to performances in Canada and the USA, she has toured extensively throughout Europe, including France, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, The Netherlands, England, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine.

Ilona’s latest CD, Nothing But Illusion (2011), showcases Ilona’s jazz flute style. Joining Ilona on flute, alto flute, piano, and vocals are: Billy Hart, drums; Greg Hopkins, trumpet; Vardan Ovsepian, piano; Akili Jamal Haynes, bass; and Don Hunerberg, sound producer. All tracks are original compositions and arrangements by Ilona Kudina, Greg Hopkins, Vardan Ovsepian, and Akili Jamal Haynes.

Ilona’s first CD production, On the Bridge, (2006) a compilation of music by Latvian composers, was awarded a Certificate of Achievement by the World Federation of Free Latvians (WFFL). Her second CD production, the Amber Flute Quartet, (2010) was commissioned by the Baltic American Society to commemorate their 50th Anniversary. Ilona is the founder and leader of the Amber Flute Quartet.

Throughout her career, Ilona has incorporated elements from artistic masters of all styles of music. She holds both a Diploma in jazz/contemporary flute performance from Berklee College of Music, and also a Master of Music degree in classical flute performance from the Latvian Academy of Music.

Ilona plays a 9k gold Sankyo Prima flute wih a silver mechanism.

Visit Ilona on the web at www.ilonakudina.com.

About Don Hunerberg

Don Hunerberg is a veteran recording engineer, whose extensive list of credits include working at Radio City Music Hall and recording the music for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1976.